Abstract
Large square baling is currently recognized as a high efficiency biomass harvesting system. Baling, bale collecting, and storing at a commercial wheat straw farm was studied as a typical large square bale harvesting system. Factors that affect large square bale production and handling logistics were quantified. Field operations of a large square baler, two bale handlers, and three bale trucks were observed in a full day field operation. System performance was analyzed and material capacities of all machines used in this system were determined based on field measurements. System limitations were quantified, and means to increase system efficiency or reduce production costs were discussed. Results showed that 340 wheat straw bales at a density of 116 kg·m-3 (wet matter) were made with a single large square baler during 8 h field operations. The number of bales produced was the system limitation when one baler, two bale handlers and three bale trucks were used. Adding a baler or reduce the number of operators can increase system efficiency. The large square baler used in this study had a material capacity of 13 Mg·h-1. Similar baling trials were conducted in a switchgrass field and results indicated that the baler had the same material capacity.
Highlights
Energy crops and agricultural crop residues hold great potential for bioenergy
Traditional agricultural harvest and handling systems and facilities are currently used for handling biomass
Large square balers that currently accommodate forage crop harvest can be readily utilized in biomass harvest [1]
Summary
Traditional agricultural harvest and handling systems and facilities are currently used for handling biomass. Transporting, and storing herbaceous biomass, large square bales have many advantages over small square bale and round bale counterparts as well as other possible harvest methods. The shape of the round bale makes handling, transportation, and storage of the bale inefficient compared to a large square bale. The advantages of large square bales stem from the high capacity of large square balers and both storage and transportation characteristics of the bales. Transportation, and storage facilities for large square bales in agricultural markets already exist. Biomass large square bales are a viable cellulosic feedstock for future bioenergy production. Thoroughly understanding the capacity of current harvest and handling equipment is essential for optimizing biomass production systems
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